The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-29
REV. JOSEPH PARKER.
Arrival of the Distinguished Englishman
Who Is Talked of as Dir. Beecher's Successor.

and entertained that gentleman and his wife
when they visited Europe. last summer. arrived
here this morning on the steamer Umbria. he
was driven from the dock to the Everett House,
where he was met by Mrs. Beecher They
6reakfasted together. DIR. Parker comes here
to deliver a course of lectures under the man
Hgement OF Major James B. Pond. The clergy
man is man close on to sixty years of age, of
medium height. rather fullfaced, with massive
forehead, from which generous supply of hair
is brushed back. He was plainly dressed in
suit of dark-blue clothes. aud leaned back
his big arm chair when reported called upon
him.
What kind of trip did you have coming
overP asked the reporter.
Anything but pleasant" responded the
Doctor. This is my ninth trip across and it
was the least pleasant of all The captain of
the Umbria says it was the worst trip he has
had in years during the summer months"
Ills there any truth in the report that you
have come over here In response to call to fill
the pulpit of Plymouth Church, rendered vacant
by Mr. Beechers death2"
''None whatever 1 was under contract. be-
fore Mr. Beeeher's death. to come over this fall
On a lecture tour Primarily, my trip is for the
purpose OF delivering eulogy on Mr.. Beecher
At the Academy of Music, Brooklyn, on Oct
next, under the auspices of the Beecher statue
fund / left England amidst chorus of ap-
prevail of nv mission Our people all feel that
DIR. Beechers memory should be httlngly COM
memorated. The Day left received letter
from Mr. Gladstone, which he closed with the
following words: L sincerely wish you safe
and happy expedition This letter was in reply
70 a request from me that he would unite with
the President of the United States in accepting
the dedication of the eulogy."
Have you any engagements to preach In
Plymouth ChurchW
None except on the first Sunday in October
On the 4th deliver the eulogy Mr.. Beecher
in Brooklyn. On Oct l lecture in Philadel-
phia. on the 9th at Chickering Hall, here; on the
10th in Boston, and the 18th in Montreal. l
shall then make a Western trip"
DIR. Parker is now in his fifty-seventh year,
having been born In Northumberland In 1880
He educated in University College. In
early life he belonged to the Methodist new con-
nection, but after his education completed
he became a CongreRationalist. He
dained in 1853 in bury, Oxfordshire, where
he began to preach in a small chapel. His
such that in 1853 he called to the
Cavendish Chapel in Manchester. a large and
wealthy society. In accepting he made a stipu-
lation that the debt of the church he was leaving
should be paid, and this done After
eleven years work in Manchester the popular
preacher was called to a metropolitan pastorate
in the Poultuey Chapel, close to the Bank of
England. This was situated in the business
ter of London, and it was expected that the edi-
fee would speedily make way for business
structure and that the society would follow the
others which had moved out to the suburbs.
But DIR. Parker decided that there was room for
O. great church In that neighborhood. When the
old building was pulled down new was
built the Holborn viaduct It will
several thousand persons. and is often too
small contain all who desire to hear the
preacher DIR. Parker fills and dominates the
church His books his lectures and his sermons
advertised on every hand Besides the reg
ular Sunday sermons he breaches each
Thursday, at noon, and audience of solid
business men is gathered to hear him.
To hold such audience the preacher must
possess more than ordinary ability. DIR. P ark
er's style is essentially his own. He has been
termed 1.-THE Beecher of England" bat the
phrase does not express anything more than his
power of interesting large congregations and
his hberality of belief. AS orator and preach
or he is wholly unlike the great Plymouth pas
tor. Mr. Beecher dealt largely in humor. and
lighted up his sermons by the play of fancy.
DIR. Parker is straign forward and matter Of
fact. and his uttersnces az largely epigrammatic.
He is q wide reader and has the art of present
Ing the freshest thoughts all topics recast in
the mold of his own mind. and illustrated by
lessons from practical experience. In his
church he occupies a marble pulpit, presented
by the corporation of the city of London. He
wears the black gown. and in his personality
there is the appearance of strength. both mental
and physical.
In this country DR. Parker is most widely
known a writer, although he sent as a
Congregational delegate TO the meeting of the
Evangelical Alliance few years ago. and he re-
ceived the degree of d. D. from the University
of Chicago. His most important work is
commentary entitled 1.-THE Peoples Bible" This
is projected to fill twenty five volumes. of which
eleven have already been prepared. six covering
parts of the Old Testament and five taking up
New Testament themes. Part Of the latter
have been issued separately as volume of
mons the Apostolic Life" Perhaps the first
work which gained much public attention for
him was "Ecce Deus" reply to Professor
Seelye's ''Ecce Homo" One of his early works
was 'Helps to Truth seekers" He has also writ
ten '.Ad Clerum," 1.-The Paraclete." and several
tracts. His published works are largely com
80 Lie a. -
TO a form more suitable for permanent preserva-
tion. AS writer he ranks among the leading
ones who have chosen distinctlvely religious
themes, and hApresents his thoughts in form
attractive to the average mind. His religious
views are liberal but not lax.
DR. Parker will to the Catskills for the
next few weeks, but will return to preach in
Plymouth Church Sunday, Oct. 2. He will
deliver two sermons on that day and has agreed
to deliver third in the church before his return
to London. His eulogv of Mr.. Beecher will
probably be delivered in the Academy of Music
on the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 4, although
Oct. 10 has been suggested n more appropriate
date as it would be the fortieth anniversary of
Mr.. Beechers first sermon in Plymouth Church
after accepting the passionate. DIR. Parker will
then lecture in New York, and he will also adj
dress n gathering of ministers similar to that
which Mr. Beecher addressed in London last
year. In regard to his probable call to Ply
mouth Church the matter has not sufficiently
advanced for any positive statement to be made.
Thomas G. Sherman went abroad early in the
summer and conferred with Dr. Parker, but no
definite statement of the result has been made
known 1t is generally believed that DIR.
Parker would not give up his assured position
In London for the experiment OF filing Ply
mouth Church. 1t is matter of grave doubt
whether he would succeed in holding the au-
aiences which Mr.. Beecher gathered or of fully
satisfying the mem bers who so long listened TO
their favorite pastor. But the result of his ser
mons In Brooklyn will be awaited with great In
terest, the impression he produces will deter
mine largely whether any effort will be made |
for his retention there In any event it is not |
at all likely that an immediate call will be de- |
cided upon. People in all parts of the country |
Will have the opportunity to hear him during |
his lecture tour before the matter is settled.
One reason urged in favor of DIR. Parker's |
ceptlng call, If one is given him. is tEat in a |
new held he would be able to again much of |
the material for sermons which he has accumu- |
,ateo In ms ministerial life, and thus he would |
have more leisure for his literary work He |
would also find field for the sale of his |
books In this country If he remains here In |
his last address in the City Temple before his |
danartura from En- Dr. Ioa.l. L